Howard County Bird Club
A Chapter of the Maryland Ornithological Society
Pigtail Recreation Area Detailed Information
Pigtail is one of the premier shorebirding sites in a county that has few such locations. Unfortunately, public access cannot be guaranteed. In recent years, a combination of low water, security alerts, vandalism, and reduced manpower has closed this attractive site for long periods.
Habitat: Most of the vegetation is deciduous with scattered remnant pines on the east side of the cove and more on the west. Mountain laurel and various other acid-loving plants are evidence of the conifers that once dominated the eastern slopes. The water level and the presence of extensive mudflats are unpredictable.
Layout: From Triadelphia Road, a long gravel road ends in a parking lot with a boat ramp at the north end of the cove. When water levels are high, there is water adjacent to the parking lot. During late summer, under normal conditions, mudflats will begin to emerge just south of the parking lot. The path along the east side of the cove allows birders to walk parallel to the flats and the water. It does not extend far enough to provide access to the main reservoir which is visible at the cove’s mouth. When the water level is low, it is possible to walk along the east side just below the treeline above the mudflats.
Best Time to Visit: Early to mid-morning during spring and fall migration; morning during shorebird migration to avoid facing the sun.
Birding: As soon as one turns onto the gravel entrance road, it is worth listening and looking for woodland species. The open area in the vicinity of the parking lot can be a birdy locale. Park and walk back a short distance to the metal gate. Work west along the dirt road which shortly ends at another gate (no public access beyond it) just before the road crosses a stream. Check the trees near this tributary; continue along the water’s edge to the paved lot watching the sky as well as the edge vegetation. From the boat ramp, look across the channel for activity among the willows. Before leaving the lot, it is often useful to scope the sometimes distant water and any flats to determine if it is worthwhile to walk the trail.
The well-worn trail begins just south of the wooden gate at the south end of the parking lot and roughly parallels the east side of the cove. When leaves are on the trees, observers are screened from the birds in the water or on the mudflats. The trail ends at a point of land adjacent to a tributary, about halfway to the main reservoir. Occasionally, the fates conspire to produce excellent conditions on the flats at a time when shorebirds are actually migrating. Such infrequent windows have produced Red Knot, White-rumped Sandpiper, Baird’s Sandpiper, Stilt Sandpiper, and Short-billed Dowitcher to keep shorebird fanatics returning. If shorebirds are present, one may opt to walk in the open below the tree line, staying well above the treacherous mud.
Pig Tail Long Trail. If you have appropriate footgear and are with a companion who also doesn’t mind crossing areas that can have deep mud, bird on the Pigtail long trail. In order to use this path, you must have a WSSC Watershed Permit AND the current MOS permission letter. Ever-present Killdeer may cause skittishness among any birds present. During spring waterfowl migration, strong west or northwest winds may drop large numbers of birds into this protected cove. Fall stragglers sometimes surprise the consistent visitor well into December. A fine variety of migrant passerines can be anticipated, especially in spring. During the breeding season, one can expect to hear Worm-eating Warblers from the eastern slopes, while the musical trill of Pine Warblers drifts across the cove from pines on the west.
Pig Tail Upland Path. When the Pigtail cove is flooded and the path next to the cove is under water, you can get to the reservoir by the upland path, marked in red on this map. In order to use this path, you must have a WSSC Watershed Permit AND the current MOS permission letter. From the new parking lot take the uphill road past the orange construction sign. You will pass two No Trespassing signs. You are allowed to walk here if you have the documents listed above. The dirt road will bend to the right past some buildings and a Barn Owl box. Continue until you get to the end of the black rain water fence about 7/10 mile from the parking lot. Turn left on a dirt road behind some houses. About 5/10 mile you will get to the reservoir.
Highlights: When the mudflats are in good condition, almost any migrant Piedmont shorebird could appear. Such conditions do not occur annually. In drought years, water levels drop in early summer and vegetation quickly appears on the mud reducing the attractiveness of the flats. In years when rainfall is high, flats do not emerge—or may do so only after the bulk of shorebird migration is complete.
Handicapped Access: Sometimes a surprising amount of activity can be observed from the paved parking lot. The trail south of the wooden gate is easy, level walking initially. After several hundred yards, portions become rocky and there are some gentle grades.
Deer Hunts: Note that controlled deer hunts are held on a few days in fall and winter.
